Alexandra Eala produced a standout performance on Saturday, defeating former world number one Naomi Osaka 6-4, 6-2 to reach the women’s final at the WTA and ATP Washington Open, where she will face third-ranked Jessica Pegula.
The 21-year-old left-hander from the Philippines advanced to her second WTA final, having lost her first last year at Eastbourne. Eala said she was “super proud” of her performance, adding that she played well, maintained a strong mentality, and stayed locked in through the finish.
The result ended Osaka’s bid for an eighth WTA title and her first since the 2021 Australian Open. Osaka, ranked 13th, pointed to unforced errors as a key factor in the loss.
Eala’s run continues with another statement win
Eala’s semi-final victory over Osaka came in the first meeting between the two, a matchup described as a meeting of Asian stars. Eala noted Osaka’s presence and power, calling it a “great experience” to share the court with a player she watched during Osaka’s Australian Open and US Open title runs.
The win also added to what has been a notable stretch for Eala in Washington. The source report notes she had previously ousted second seed Elina Svitolina for her sixth top-10 victory of the year, after dethroning 2025 Washington champion Leylah Fernandez. With the victory over Osaka, Eala is set to rise to a career-best 24th in the world rankings.
Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam winner, was unable to turn the match in her favor as Eala controlled the semi-final in straight sets. Osaka said afterward that she hit “a lot of unforced errors,” which she identified as one of the main reasons for the defeat.
For Eala, the win was another step in what she framed as a growing belief in her level against elite opponents. She said she was happy she could produce that standard against Osaka, describing the match as a memorable opportunity against one of her idols from her youth.
Pegula books her place in the final
In the other women’s semi-final, Jessica Pegula defeated Russia’s Diana Shnaider 7-5, 6-4 to secure her place in the championship match. Pegula is seeking her 12th WTA title and third of the year.
Pegula, the 32-year-old American top seed, had to respond after falling behind 5-2 against Shnaider, but battled back to reach her fourth final of the year. Pegula also has a history of success in Washington, having won her first WTA title at the event in 2019.
Looking ahead to the final, Pegula said it was “going to be a battle,” and praised Eala, calling herself a big fan and describing Eala as “the future of the tour” while adding that she is “already here.”
The report also notes Pegula’s 2026 season highlights, including a semi-final run at this year’s Australian Open and titles at Dubai and Charleston.
Final matchup: Pegula vs Eala, with history from Miami
The Washington Open final will be a rematch of their only previous career meeting, a 2025 Miami semi-final won by Pegula. Eala, reflecting on her development since then, said she is “more well rounded,” physically improved, and has made gains on several strokes, including her serve.
With Eala coming off a straight-sets win over Osaka and Pegula navigating a comeback to beat Shnaider, the women’s final sets up a high-profile clash between the rising Filipina left-hander and the established American world No. 3.
Men’s final set: Fritz vs Jodar
On the men’s side, the Washington Open final will feature American Taylor Fritz, ranked 10th, against 19-year-old Spaniard Rafael Jodar. Fritz defeated 33rd-ranked American Brandon Nakashima 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, firing 13 aces in the win. Fritz said he “dug very deep” to keep holding serve as he pursues an 11th career ATP title and his first since last year at Eastbourne.
Jodar advanced by beating Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo 6-7 (6/8), 6-4, 6-4. The report notes Jodar kept his composure after dropping a tight first set, then seized momentum with a break for a 4-3 lead in the second. He broke Tabilo to open the third set and closed out the match, giving himself a chance at a second ATP title after winning his first in Morocco in April. Jodar is also assured of cracking the top 20 in the rankings next week.
